The main conflict in Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” revolves around the tension between tradition and individual morality. This conflict is primarily illustrated through the characters’ compliance with the ritual of the lottery, which involves the stoning of a chosen individual. As the story progresses, readers witness the struggle between the characters’ adherence to a long-standing tradition and the growing awareness of its brutality.
On one hand, the townspeople are deeply ingrained in their customs, justifying the lottery as a means to ensure a prosperous harvest. This blind adherence highlights the conflict between community loyalty and personal ethics. On the other hand, there are moments of doubt and hesitation among some characters, like Tessie Hutchinson, who ultimately becomes the victim of the lottery. Her protests against the unfairness of the ritual raise questions about the morality of following tradition without critical reflection.
This central conflict serves to critique societal norms and the dangers of conformity, making the reader reflect on their own beliefs and the customs they uphold.